"In this stunning and well-researched book, Kevin Levin catches the new waves of the study of memory, black soldiers, and the darker underside of the Civil War as well as anyone has." -David Blight, author of Race and Reunion

I work with Senator Henry Marsh, the sponsor, on his Lincoln Bicentennial sub-committee. The bill was passed through by the House General Laws Committee last week and now goes to a full vote. The opposition so far has been from the fine folks at Mt. Vernon, who feel Washington deserves a day all his own in Virginia.

I did not know this until last week , but official federal holiday on the third Monday in February is not President’s Day, but “George Washington Day.” I say, let Virginia show Mr. Lincoln some love.

Well, so far it’s only faced a Committee vote. I predict we’ll see some opposition the floor of the House, if not in the Senate (if it gets that far). And then there’s always the Heritage folks who’ll want to chime in.

The Subcommittee’s work continues, what with the upcoming Emancipation Proclamation bicentennial.

Seeing where this will probably end up… just so we set the record straight, here… this is not necessarily a “modern PC-driven remembrance initiative” as some might make it out to be. First, in Rockingham County, Virginia, here in the Shenandoah Valley, the “Lincoln Homestead” marker is, indeed, only 15 years old, however, the “Lincoln’s Father” marker (not far from the homestead marker, and also in Rockingham County) dates to 1942. Furthermore, John Walter Wayland, a beloved Valley historian going wayyy back to the early 20th century, noted the significance of the family tie even earlier. The connection is worth noting, and the day will be worth remark in Virginia’s historical reflection.

It’s also worthwhile to note that the local D.A.R., Harrisonburg-Rockingham Historical Society, S.A.R., and other local heritage groups have, through the years, taken time to recognize the significance of the homestead, and family cemetery. Granted, Lincoln had connections to Virginia in other ways, during the war… and many of the Lincoln family that remained in the Valley didn’t always agree with cousin Abraham’s decisions , but it’s great to see the legislature taking action on this in the midst of the Sesquicentennial. Virginia’s recognition of Civil War personalities with connections to the Shenandoah Valley grows… first with Lee-Jackson Day… and now, possibly, with Washington-Lincoln Day (albeit, this day is larger in historical context than just the Civil War-era). Makes for a more well-rounded understanding of individuals and how, despite roots, Civil War era sentiments could vary.

Actually, those roots form the basis of the argument for the bill, and were prominent in Sen. Marsh’s presentation to the Committee last week.

Dr. Phil Stone, the head of the Lincoln Society of Virginia and recently-retired president of Bridgewater College, also serves on the Lincoln sub-committee, and has been a great source of knowledge. The sub-committee as a whole, and I personally, are supporting the Society’s efforts to purchase the Lincoln Homestead in Rockingham County in order to preserve and interpret it.

Dr. Stone gives a Lincoln birthday celebration at the Lincoln family gravesite near Linville, VA, every February, occasionally in bitterly cold weather. He has great knowledge and passion for the study of Lincoln.

Summary as introduced: Washington-Lincoln Day in the Commonwealth. Establishes the third Monday in February as Washington-Lincoln Day. Currently the legal holiday is designated George Washington Day. This bill is a recommendation of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Commission.

Though it didn’t pass… this year… the recognition on the landscape in the Valley remains, as does many years of admiration by Virginians who made that recognition possible, years before the birth of many of those who spend a few happy minutes among themselves, reveling in an event that is anything but indelible.

Hold your horses, everyone…or, as has been said before, “The North Shall Rise Again!”

Per Sen. Marsh’s office: pressure was brought to bear over the last week on various Senators by the good folks at Mt. Vernon, who suggested that the bill be amended to provide another date for a paid “Lincoln Day”, which is not fiscally feasible (or that the bill designate a non-paid State holiday, which was also by law a complete non-starter).

However, Senate Joint Resolution 131 has been introduced in lieu of Senate Bill 43. It will establish February 12 as “Lincoln Day” in the Commonwealth. It does not go to the Governor for approval, so there’s no amendment or veto. Once agreed to by House and Senate, it will be up to Senator Marsh’s committee, the Lincoln Society of Virginia, and others to request that the Governor create the appropriate proclamation and urge appropriate commemorations. Here’s a link:

NO to honoring a bloodthirsty, anti-White, anti-Southern tyrant who was responsible for more White deaths in this country than any other person. Lincoln deserves the same treatment as the communists Stalin, Lenin and MLK. SIC SEMPER TYRANNIS!!!